Is a wire bottom overkill? Harmful to feet?

[sra0304]

We are constructing our new run this week. My husband wants to do a full hardware cloth floor/bottom in the run area (20'x20'). I was thinking a 2' apron or burying a foot or so of the side panels would be sufficient. I also didn't want to damage my birds feet, and I wanted them to be able to scratch/forage. Any thoughts on this? Have you guys that have done the aprons had success with keeping predators and snakes from going under your run? Elevating the run is not an option, as it is too large.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I would bury the wire. Having a completely wired bottom can cause behavioral problems in a flock as well as raise the potential for injury. If you do end up using wire all across the bottom I would bed it down quite a bit so they can scratch without the risk of getting their toes caught.